malice

[mal-is] / ˈmæl ɪs /

NOUN

hate, vengefulness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

animosity animus antipathy bitterness enmity grudge hate hatred hostility ill will meanness rancor resentment vengefulness

STRONG

acerbity bane bile despite dirt dislike down evil hatefulness malevolence maliciousness malignance malignity mordacity poison repugnance spite spitefulness spleen umbrage venom viciousness vindictiveness

WEAK

bad blood despitefulness implacability

Antonyms

STRONGEST

friendliness friendship good will happiness kindness liking love loving respect sympathy

STRONG

morality

WEAK

benevolence thoughtfulness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jurors decided that Grossman also acted with malice and oppression and Erickson acted with malice, oppression, or fraud.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

It emerges not from malice, but from math.

From Slate • May 22, 2026

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile said there was some "evidence supporting the Robinsons", but "the evidence of actual malice does not approach the clear and convincing standard".

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

“But do keep at it with the fake news, actual malice standard is now what some would call a legal lay up,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

It wasn’t only malice, but fear, and Lazlo understood two things: He would not keep his position, not after such insolence as this.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Vocabulary lists containing malice

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal

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The Tragedy of Macbeth

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